Grover Norquist blesses Plan B

Well, he would say no. He has two decades or so of activism to suggest the opposite. But his Americans for Tax Reform lobbying group has come out in favor Wednesday of the so-called Plan B legislation put forth by the House Republicans that would extend the Bush tax rates for everyone making below $1 million. Put another way, someone making more than $1 million would face higher taxes on Jan. 1 than they are on Dec. 19.

Isn’t that a tax hike, and therefore, a violation of the pledge taken by many Republicans not to raise taxes?

“Republicans supporting this bill are this week affirming to their constituents in writing that this bill—the sole purpose of which is to prevent tax increases—is consistent with the pledge they made to them. In ATR’s analysis, it is extremely difficult—if not impossible—to fault these Republicans’ assertion. In particular, in this Congress the House has already voted twice to prevent any tax increases on any American. When viewed with this in mind, and considering this tax bill contains no tax increases of any kind—in fact, it permanently prevents them—matters become more clear.”

The big question then, is if the ATR accepts tax hikes for those making more than $1 million, why not for those making over $250,000? The logic is the same, only the levels are different.

In an email, ATR’s tax policy director Ryan Ellis said they weren’t endorsing Plan B but just clarifying that it would not violate the pledge. As for a different level, he said the group only comments on “written legislation, not hypotheticals.”

Meanwhile, another influential conservative group, Heritage Action, took a different line. “Allowing a tax increase to hit a certain segment of Americans and small businesses is not a solution; it is a political ploy,” it said, explaining that the vote will be “key” on its legislative scorecard.